Postpartum bone mineral density following antenatal dexamethasone therapy

The aim of this study was to determine whether the changes in bone metabolism, which we have demonstrated previously with antenatal dexamethasone therapy, are associated with a lower bone mineral density. We assessed bone mineral density in the proximal femur and lumbar spine using dual photon X-ray absorptiometry after delivery in 15 women who received dexamethasone therapy for fetal lung maturation, and in 30 women who did not have dexamethasone therapy in pregnancy. The absolute bone mineral density, T scores and Z scores at the proximal femur and lumbar spine were similar, and the median values of T and Z scores were positive in both groups. We conclude that antenatal dexamethasone therapy has no long term effect on bone mineral density.